Archive for the ‘Special Interests’ Category
Tokyo – The Heart and Soul of Japan
Tokyo was originally a small village named Edo meaning estuary. Its name was changed to Tokyo when it was made the capital city of Japan in 1868. By 18th century it became one of the most populated cities in Asia and so it became the capital of Japan. Tokyo’s history has a lot of pitfalls in it. It was devastated by an earthquake in 1923 while the Second World War killed almost 2, 00,000 people destroying major part of infrastructure of Tokyo. But it was after Second World War this city was completely changed and was showcased on 1964 Olympics. The main land Tokyo lies in Tokyo bay and measures 90 Km east west and 25 Km north south.
Tokyo is quite scenic in its own view. It has numerous islands around 1850 Km away from its administrative center. Tokyo has humid sub tropical climate with annual rainfall of around 59.7 inch. The warmest month is august while the coldest is January. The temperatures go max up to 27.2 while the lowest goes to 6 degrees centigrade.
Tokyo is struggling against climate change. The mean temperature has increased by 3 degrees in the last 100 years as it is an urban field with not mush nature around and with a lot if industries which add on this global warming effect.
Tokyo is the largest economic metropolitan far ahead of New York and London. It is house to a large number of financial firms and banks. Post Second World War many firms from Osaka and elsewhere have shift their head quarters to Tokyo. Tokyo has been the world’s costliest city 14 times in a row. Its executive life style even includes detached house and several automobiles. 
Tokyo is the center of Greater Tokyo area and it is Japan’s largest international hub for rails. The transport facilities mainly include efficient buses and rails which are quite clean and well maintained. Inside Tokyo only have domestic airport while the Narita international Airport and Chiba Prefecture which are outside the city serve as international gateways to the outside world.
Tokyo has very good educational facilities. Being the capital of industrially sound Japan it focuses a lot on the education of the citizens. Tokyo has many good and famous universities, junior colleges, and vocational schools. The most prestigious university from Japan are in Tokyo, which mainly includes Hitotsubashi University, University of Tokyo, Waseda University, Tokyo Institute of Technology, and many others institutes.
Tokyo being in Asia is culturally very rich. Many different festivals occur throughout Tokyo which includes religious festivals as well festivals from the Japanese cultural and also some from the political history. Some of the festivals are the Sanno at the Sanja at Asakusa Shrine, the biennial Kanda Festivals and Hie Shrine. The biennial Kanda has a parade with very beautifully decorated floats and thousands of citizens.
So Tokyo is a fun place to visit which could move a person’s heart because it’s a city which was destroyed and then rebuild from the rags.
Mauritius – The Enchanting Land of Honeymoon
Mauritius is one of the famous Indian Ocean islands and it is the only country from Africa where you will see most of the people following Hinduism although there are significant numbers of Muslims and Christians as well. Mauritius has a total population of 1,300,000 people out of which most of them are of Indian origin with a small amount of people with European and African ancestry.
Mauritius was an uninhabited island for quite a long time until the Dutch started their colonies in the 1600’s. But soon it was soon abandon by them too. Finally it was the French who established settled communities there. Here the official languages include English, French and Mauritian Creole but most of the dealings in this country is usually in French. So that is the most spoken language in Mauritius.
The economy of Mauritius is mainly based on agriculture with the annual growth of 5% – 6%.
The growth is seen in improved life expectancy and improved infrastructure. 90% of the agricultural products constitute of sugar cane and this accounts for 25% of the earning in exports.
Mauritius does not maintain a permanent army like all the major countries of the world. The security services and the military services are mainly managed by nearly 10,000 active members who constitute of the army or the police of Mauritius. Out of these 10,000 personnel, 8,000 are the member of National Police which takes care of the domestic law enforcement, another 1,500 personnel constitute Special Mobile Force (SMF), and the remaining 500 constitute National Coast Guard.
Education in Mauritius is free from pre-primary to secondary for each citizen born in the country. “Star Schools” is the name given to the best schools in the country and every year, the CPE pupils should compete for the admissions to these schools. In 2001 Steven Obeegadoo who was then the education Minister declared educational reform in Mauritius. Like many other developed countries such as USA in Mauritius too the ranking system was completely abolished and it was replaced by grading system.
Mauritius is usually looked upon by the world as the holiday and honeymoon destination. It offers a lot of exotic locations for travel. You can experience clear sea shore and active volcanoes. Mauritius is a great holiday destination. There is so much to see and if you want to relax there is so much to relax. Tourism boom first touched the Grand Bay area. Grand bay area is also very famous among the locals. It is home to very famous restaurants and hotels in the town. La Cuvette beach which is recently renovated is a very good place to visit.
The main international airport in Mauritius is Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport and the local transport mainly consists of buses and boats and the best part is that the local transports are completely free for students. So Mauritius seems to be a perfect holiday destination from where you may take away unforgettable experiences.
Wonderful Trekking Spots in Zanskar at Ladakh
Zanskar is the perfect trekking spots in the world. It is scenic beauty, beautiful Landscape, series of the white snow mountain; high peak, isolated village and variety of monasteries are great experience and are really unforgettable.
Basic course is required for trekking:-
Before you start of trekking, basic course is required to be needed, one can get wide experience before trekking. First aid will be helpful in this trekking. Get in touch in independent trek operators, especially local tour guide will be best in respect of trekking. To be learn, how to dealt with frostbite and extreme sun burn. One can contact with independent trek guide, about rate and discount. The trek guides will arrange group trekking and everything especially from mules to cook tents equipments, light foods water etc. The rate will be higher if you want trekking in smaller groups, and rate will be less if you trek with big groups. The best time in trekking from Zanskar is from the end of July to September.
Tips for carrying articles or goods: -
One must be carry good windcheater, backpack which is to be multiple pockets, padded shoulder strap, zipper closer good shoes, it’s made of hikers to give you comfortable and good support. Socks are to be thick and woolen which prevent your feet. Backpack must be a first aid kit, water bottle Swiss army knife. One must be topography map, compass, blanket and sweaters while you are trekking.
Start for trekking:-
Get to be started from Manali and head northwest into the Lahaul valley after crossing the 13,051-feet high “Rohtang Pass” you will reach “Darcha’, a small village, and this the starting point for trek to Zanskar. before trekking the trek guide will prepare which will be essentials for with them and to make sure that all of them get ready
for trekking for the next few days or one week to be continue until to achieving the main target, and this to be big challenge for them, one must be confident and determined for facing challenge in any cost. The first challenge trekking the first great pass, which is ‘Shingo La’ it is about 16,699 feet above sea level. After that you can camp at various places near the “ Jhankar Nala River ’, and it is the first camp in Zanskar, then you can pass the fields of wild flowers on the way to the village of Kargyk . You can enjoy ‘Phutkal Gompa” is a beautiful monastery. After that, you can trek to “Phuktal’ and there are another beautiful monastery which is carved into walls of cave. Next to be rest of “Mune”, it is village with 200year old monastery. Finally you can reach “Padum’. It is a capital of Zanskar. There are 17th- century Bardan Gompa. From there, you can take the road of Kargil, and you can relax in Kargil and to get some experience for visiting entire day in Kargil. Next you can start trek through plains, riners gorges .You can rest a day at “Lingshed’ village and enjoy to visit temple which has been built into mountainside. Next is to start trekking and reach the ‘Hanuman La Pass’ which is about 16,240 feet. Next, you can trek village and valleys and reach ‘Singe La’ at 16,568 feet, you climb over the steep pass and
downing into a broad valley, then to trek Photaskar, a village at the base of the mountains.
The final and last stage of the trek is the downing to ‘Hanupatta village” you will take through a river gorge to Wanla. From Wanla you reach Lamayuru, and it is one of the largest and oldest monasteries in Ladakh. Visit to Lamayuru monasteries for purifying your mind. One can visit to Leh, and shopping for carpets, pashmina shawls from Kashmir, jewelry from Tibet , Thangka paintings, prayer wheels, music bowls etc.
How to reach there:-
By Rail:- Jammu is the nearest rail station. Or take the Shatabdi express from Delhi to Chandigarh and take buses for Manali, or take the Srinagar route to Leh. To stay overnight at Manali and visit to 1000- year- old Dhoongri Temple . You can reach Leh by air from Delhi .
Monpas: – Colourful Tribes in Arunachal Pradesh
The Monpas is one of the colourful tribes in Arunachal Pradesh. They are living in the Twang District. The land is known as ‘Monyul’ because of low land lying dwelled by Monpas tribes.
The Monpas are Buddhist by religion and Tawang monastery is fountain head of their spiritual lives. Inhabitants of the district are all of Monpa Tribes except Shyo village which is dominated by peoples of Tibetian originate Monpas is belong to “Mongoloid Race”. They are well built, fair in complexion. Their houses are built with stone, and timber, bamboo ceiling, curved wooden doors, and wooden framers. They lives cozy double stored residential house
Agriculture and animal husbandry are the fundamental it is means of the Monpas occupation. They follow terrace of cultivation.They also have Yak, Sheep, other lives stock. Twang monastery is one of the most important elements in the social and religious life of the Monpas. The Monpas tribe is predominantly ‘Gelukpa Sects’ of Mahayana stream of Buddhism. The monastery is known as “Galden Namgyel Lhatse” is one of the most Largest Lama series of “Mahayana’ sect in Asia. Lama series is comprised of several sections ranging near about four hundred years, devoted to Love, Learning and purely of life. The Monpas are courteous, friendly, simple and hospitable. Their traditional dresses are very colourful. They are artistic by nature. Wood curving works, utensils are made by bamboo looking exquisitely beautiful. They have an earned niche for themselves Thanka Paintings and hand made paper making. Marriage by negotiation in common practice in Monpas society.
Losar Festival: – The ‘Losar Festival’ is celebrated by the Monpas in every year in five days. It is the festival of New Year of the monpas tribes. On the occasion of the festival, the Monpas tribes are clean of their houses and discard the old. The dirt and grit of the old year is considered to symbolize the ill health. During five days festival the Monpas are pray in the monastery for their good health, prosperity, and well living in the next year. They are also hoisted the religious flag at the top of their houses. During the festival, the Monpas tribes are used to visits to their friends and relatives, near and dearer ones.
Social Life: – The Monpas communities are greatly influenced by the Lamas, is a Tibetian Monk in their day to day life. In every social life, the Lama guidance and religious advice is very important of the Monpas society. To respect and honoure of the Lama in every spheres of social life is very important to Monpas tribes. Lamas are being invited for religious functions, birth and deaths, marriage and constructions of the new houses etc.
Village Council:-Each Monpas villages have a democratic set up of village council which is called Tsobla headed by a Tsorgan- the village head and the Thumi (messenger). In respect of civil and criminal cases are settled by Tsorgan in consultation with the Tsobla. It is said that, Thumi acts as a messenger between the defendants and the complaints. The village council is greatly influenced and guided by the monasteries and their Lamas (Tibetian Buddhist monk).
Handicraft: – The carpet making is specialty of the Monpas. Carpet with exotic design of the dragons, geometries and flora pattern are made by the Monpas. Carpets’ weaving has a major occupation with the women folks and with an increased in demand. The Monpas are now producing large scales beautiful carpets. The Monpas wood carver scopes out beautiful cups dishes fruits bowls, and magnificent ceremonia marks for dances and the pantomimes.
After all, the Monpas are friendly, and possess a rich cultural heritage. They put well dress and artificially design cloths. They follow Buddhism and Profess Mahayana Buddhism.